Pipe-cleaner.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

J. smooox. PIPE CLEANER.

I APPLICATION FILED MAB. B, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

Fries.

JOHN SINOOOK, OF DUNBAR, PENNSYLVANIA.

PIPE-CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. :723,745, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed March 8, 1902- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN SINCOOK, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dunbar, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in pipe-cleaners, and relates more particularly to a pipe-cleaner to be applied in pipe-lines in coal-mines.

When sulfur-water is pumped from coalmines, the pipes often become clogged with small particles of coal and sulfur, rendering the pipes useless until they are cleaned, which operation is usually performed by taking the sections of pipe apart,necessitating the breaking of everyjoint, causing a great loss of time, labor, and expense.

It is the object of my invention to overcome the above-named difficulties and to provide a device that will effectually clean the pipes and to provide a bit that will be sufficiently resilient to effectually pass the point of connection between the sections of pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of this character that will be extremely simple in construction, strong, durable, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efficient in its use.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in .the claim.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which Figure l is a perspective view of my improved bit employed in connection with my pipe-cleaner. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the head of the bit. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the bit attached in position to the stem andhandle.

In the drawings the reference-numeral 1 represents the shank of the bit,carryin g screwthreads 2, and the forward portion of the shank is provided with a series of longitudi- Serial No. 97,225. (No model.)

nal slits, thereby forming a series of curved spring-blades 3, which are preferably tapered from their ends toward their center and form a cage or inclosure. Theseblades are curved from each end, and their highest pointis near the center and are slightly tapered from the center to each side, forming a cutting edge. The blades 3 form a head on the bit and form practically an egg shaped inclosure. The forward points of the blades rest against each other. The sections of pipe 4, suitably secured together by couplings 5, form the elongated stem of the bit,and the end sections carry the operating-handle 6, which may be as shown or may be in the form of the crankhandle of a breast-auger. By this construction of pipe-cleaner it is possible to operate several hundred feet before it is necessary to break the joint for the section of pipe. As the auger is operated inwardly, the sections of pipe are inserted until the end of the pipe has been reached. By rotating the handle or the stem the bit will both scrape and cut the carbon and sulfur in the pipes, and the forward ends of the blades will serve to bore their way gradually through the mass of material clogged in the pipe.

The many advantages obtained by the use of my improved device will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the-details of construction without departing from the general spirit of 'my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A bit comprising a shank, having one of its ends slitted, thereby forming a plurality of flexible blades, said blades being bent outwardly in common curves and having their outer ends engaging one another, and each blade having its opposite edges inclined inwardly toward its ends from an intermediate point.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN SINCOCK.

Witnesses: v

ANDREW CALHOUN, JAMES R. FOLTZ. 

